New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-06
UU1T rs DEFY UEREf

UH4I 10 10 II HEhL'
What is the duty of Christian men IN such Il
politica contest as this? Such men may ana
do differ regarding the tariff, the currency inc
bank question and the railroad question; IN
short, regarding almost every question at issue
between great parties. Each must follow the
truth as he secs it, seeking it honestly and WIN
out partisan or personal bias. But there are
other issues here in regard to which 1t Is not
so easy for sincere and conscientious men 'e
differ
The moral effect of a vote for this or that
ticket can never be overlooked by CONSCIENTIOUS
men. 1t is not often matter
Of the highest importance whether this or that
decent candidate performs the duties OF
certain office. But a citizen. In voting Ior
ono party ticket or the other, cannot help
giving moral aid and encouragement to the
body of political workers which that ticket
represents, support to their principles ana p'ir-
poses, and countcnancc to the methods they
adopt. The Democratic State and local tickets
this wear are so condemned by the known pnr-
poses of their most active supporters, by the
Iccthods adoptcd to secure their success and by
the character of certain of the candidates, that
il Is hard to sec how upright and conscientious
citizens can give them countcnancc or aid.
There is an open alliance between the Demo
cratic managers and those who seek TO aDollSh
in this State the American Sunday. That TINS
is not an ovcrstrained statement every intcll-
gent citizen Of either party is aware. FER
sonal liberty funds. collected from liquor
sellers constitute large part OF the resources
of the Democratic party; the direct influence
of the saloons in every part of the State Is
opcnly employed to secure for Democratic State,
legislative and local candidates the support OF
all hose whose votes the lUor interest can
control and there is no concca'mcnt or deniai
of the purpose to get rid OF the SUNDAY III"
through the active agency OF the Democratic
party A very large number OF Democratic
voters have no sympathy with that purpose
and think it wicked in the extreme, and yet
they know that their party leaders, managers
and candidates are so committed to it that the
liquor interest is working desperately for Dem
ociatic success. What is the duty of conScicn-
tious Democrats in this State?
The funds collected from Equor-Scllcrs are
swclIcd 10y the funds collected from Democrats
who hold office. About this, too, there IS no
oucStion. II is claimed. indeed, that
Democratic officials make only voluntary con
trbutions." but when 10000 faithful officials
are turned out In three years because they do
not help the party in power it is waste OF
timc to argue that no man VIII lose his pace
if he fails to pay his party assessment. Dem
ocratic citizens protested to regard the creation
Of a corruption fund by the assessment OF Office
holders as a most outrageous and dangerous
thing when it was done by any Republican
leader in wears past. They used 10 wonder now
any upright Republican could countcnancc by
his vote practices so dcmorallzng and CORRUPT
Have conscientious Democrats any night ia
countcnancc this practice by their own party
Proofs accumulate daily that the corruption
fund is to be used in the purchase OF votes can
any conscientious Democrat countcnancc such
methods?
Governor Hill, the head of the party in this
State was VIGOROUSLY responsible Tor the I'M
bIushing corruption at his own home, where
voters by the hundred were bought again and
again, and he is an open champion OF the anti
Sunday law effort. In this city the party nom
mates for prosecuting attorney man who took
money from Tweed. who rcpudlatcs a gambling
debt. who is the favortc candidate of coIrup-
tIoniSts. Yet Mayor Hewitt. the head Of the
party in this city. goes so far IN his heated
yartiSanship rs to talk Of Z" the simple Christian
lifc'' Of this candidate and President Clcvc-
land the head Of the party in the Nation.
conlratulatcs Mr.. Hewitt on his letter, and
writes that he would support Mr.. Fellows
" without the least msgivings is TO his fitness"
Can party so led expect the support and coun
tcnancc of CONSCIENTIOUS men? Is 1T not the
p in duty Of such men to rebulic and defeat in
sincerity so fragrant, methods so corrupt and
purposes so hostile to moral teaching and to the
welfare Of the State